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HOLIDAY 2013

Ambassador vFixCover_Holiday 2013 9/19/13 1:55 PM Page COV1

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit

I always look forward to the holidays. Biltmore House and grounds become a Christmas wonderland

thanks to our amazing employees, and everyone gets into the holiday spirit. I hope your visit this season

will be a catalyst for you to embrace the season, and that these stories full of insider information help

you begin the celebration. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Dini Cecil Pickering,

President of the Family Office and George Vanderbilt’s great-granddaughter

2 Defining the nature

of Christmas

Christmas at Biltmore begins November 2

4 Tree-raising and Passholder

Shopping Day

5 A day in the life of a concierge

6 Experience Biltmore with

Candlelight Christmas EveningsNovember 9–January 4

8 Establish a holiday dining tradition

at Biltmore

9 Add sparkle to your celebrations

10 Thanksgiving then and now

Our culinary team updates a traditional feast

12 Brining makes turkey even more delicious

13 Upcoming events

Contents Holiday 2013

Look for this symbol to go online for details.

2

10

6

Ambassador_NewCoverNewChef_9_30_Holiday 2013 9/30/13 3:53 PM Page COV2

biltmore.com/passholders 1

Edith Vanderbilt embraced George’s Christmas tradition

of giving gifts to the children of Biltmore employees. She made

a list that included each child by name and noted their age

so she could purchase appropriate gifts. It’s a tradition that

we honor today with Biltmore’s employee Christmas party.

Leslie Klingner

Curator of Interpretation

Ambassador vF_Holiday 2013 9/12/13 2:20 PM Page 1

2 Passholder info: 800-413-9787

Biltmore’s Floral Displays team plans yearround for awe-inspiring holiday décorincluding dozens of trees, hundreds ofwreaths, and thousands of glitteringornaments. But did you know that every yearthe estate’s decorations are based on a theme?This year it is “The nature of Christmas.”“We encouraged very broad thinking

about this theme,” said Cathy Barnhardt,Floral Displays Manager. “Obviously it’sabout the natural world, but it’s also aboutwhat makes the spirit of Christmas, thingslike tradition and family.”

At Biltmore’s Front Door, the theme will be interpreted literally. Large planterswill hold evergreens, deciduous trees, holly, and berries, while garlands and freshwreaths will grace the doors. “Thesetraditional decorations are similar to onesused in the Vanderbilts’ day,” said Cathy. Natural materials continue in the

Entrance Hall where twiggy trees will bedecorated with large gold, silver, and redornaments. “The trees and plantings helpbring the outdoors inside,” she said. “Thelarge ornaments add color and light.”

Defining the nature

of ChristmasChristmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration November 2, 2013–January 12, 2014



The Winter Garden will be the pictureof a traditional Christmas with dozens ofpoinsettias. Garlands, evergreens, andholly, along with the tropical plant display,complete the red and green color scheme.Eight wrought iron candelabras withtwinkling candles will enhance the mood.

In the Banquet Hall, decorations willfocus on family, especially children. Paperchains and ribbons will be reminiscent of children’s handmade decorations. Yousimply can’t miss the 35-foot main treeadorned with toys hanging from its huge branches.

Decorations in the Breakfast Room willreflect the colors of beautiful Mintondessert plates. The plates incorporate abird pattern, a theme which inspiresdecorations throughout the room.

Four decorated trees featuring gildeddeer and other forest animals willhighlight the Tapestry Gallery. “This themewas inspired by the painted animals on the fireplace mantels and animals found inthe antique tapestries,” said Gloria Brank,Floral Displays Supervisor.

For the first time in many years, FloralDisplays will decorate the newly restoredSecond Floor Living Hall. They havechosen decorations based on the richlycolored fabrics reproduced from theoriginals in shades of vibrant green, gold, and blue.

“We were excited about doing thisroom,” said Cathy. “New rooms and themeskeep us inspired, and that enables us to doa better job for our guests.”

Get holiday

inspiration for

your home

This lovely arrangement with

Biltmore For Your Home®

ornaments from Belk may

inspire your own decorating

ideas. Discover more at

biltmoreforyourhome.com.

Reserve daytime

Christmas visits

now!

Most daytime Christmas visits

to Biltmore House require

advanced reservations–call

the Passholder Priority Line at

800-417-9787 now to reserve

your specific day and time.

Check biltmore.com/busy for

the days when Biltmore House

reservations are necessary.



Join us for Biltmore’s official holidaykickoff on Friday, November 1 with our annual tree-raising and PassholderShopping Day. Save 20% on most items in our shops and restaurants, and shopsremain open until 8 p.m.Listen to live music and bring the

children to visit with Mrs. Claus on theFront Lawn at 9:30 a.m. The huge BanquetHall tree and Santa arrive by horse drawnwagon at 10 a.m., a tradition that delightsguests of all ages.After the tree-raising, check out this

year’s hottest gifts and enjoy your extraPassholder discount in our shops.According to Missy Shirey, Director ofRetail Merchandising, fairies and elves are extremely popular this year.“We have fairies and elves made from

cloth and resin; many have movable parts,and some are posable,” she said. Another hot item is the Mark Roberts

snowing tree; the four-foot tree featuresholiday music and has popcorn snowblowing from the top for an instant“Winter Wonderland” effect.

Pace yourself with lunch at the Stable Caféor try new menus at the Bistro or Cedric’sTavern and take advantage of the PassholderShopping Day 20% dining discount.For the fashionista on your list, see the

stunning Mary Frances hand beadedhandbags with holiday motifs found at Traditions. Also look for Christmasdriftwood art, including angels, nativities,and wreaths. “Jewelry lovers will appreciate the high

quality Crislu jewelry this year,” said Missy.“We’re carrying many different earrings,necklaces, and rings.”In our Wine Shop, discover Karen

Didion’s Wine Santas, made of resin andmetal embellished with antique buttons andtapestry jackets. You save when purchasingthree or more bottles of Biltmore Wine socheck your list for wine lovers and startshopping (Passholder discount does notapply to wine purchases). Take a break in the afternoon and

enjoy carolers at Antler Hill Village from 4–8:30 p.m., then end the day with arelaxing dinner—a great way to kick offthe holiday season!

Tree-raising and

Passholder Shopping DayFriday, November 1

Try our limited edition

Christmas wine

Enjoy this fragrant, semi-

sweet wine with friends this

holiday season—it’s a

perfect match with dessert—

or give as a beautiful gift.

The elegant label, designed

by artist Perry Winkler of

Penfield, PA, was the winning

entry in our fourth annual

Christmas wine label contest.



Tune into our

new audio tours

During your daytime visit,

discover new information

about Biltmore House with two

new audio tours. The main tour

is much like a personal tour

led by Biltmore House hosts,

and includes the latest

research from Museum

Services staff. The other tour is

for children ages 8–14, hosted

by Cedric, the Vanderbilts’

beloved St. Bernard.

Before Kim Keyser was a concierge at theInn on Biltmore Estate, she was aprofessional singer for more than 20years—experience that helps her be anexceptional concierge today.

“As a singer you are definitely veryvisible on stage, and working as aconcierge you are also very visible,” shesaid. “In both professions, it’s important tohave a pleasant, joyful demeanor, and Ithink that my experience as a singer helpsme feel comfortable in this job.”

Kim has served as a concierge at the Innfor five years and says her days go byquickly, filled with answering phone calls,e-mails, and helping guests. She neverknows what a guest will request, and saysthe position requires the combination of atrue multi-tasker with someone who staysrelaxed and calm.

“I always try to engage with guests theway I would want someone to relate to me,”she said. “I really like being in a positionwhere I make things happen for people.”

Kim gets many repeat questions—queries about the shuttle schedule,ticketing needs, and recommendations for outdoor activities. But she also getsone-of-a-kind requests, such as when aguest needed a Chinese translator fordocuments he needed to fax overseas.

She occasionally gets requestssurrounding marriage proposals (think

flowers, champagne, and chocolate in the room), but one occasion sticks out in her mind.

“A guest wanted to use the GrandTerrace off the lobby as part of a scavengerhunt he had arranged for his soon-to-befiancée. We had about 30 minutes to seteverything up after she arrived,” Kimexplained. “As she followed the last clue tothe Grand Terrace, she found the ringhanging by a ribbon on a frame placed on a pedestal. It took a great team to makeit all happen, but they were both tickled.She definitely said yes!”

Another aspect of Kim’s role involvesdining at area restaurants, browsing in artgalleries, and participating in outdooractivities. This enables her and otherconcierge staff to gain first-hand knowledgeto make personal recommendations toguests, aided by recommendations fromother guests and Inn management.

Kim’s expertise includes researchingand anticipating guests’ needs so she canexceed their expectations—somethingthat easily translates to making guests feelwelcome in our own homes.

“Find out what your guests love to assurethey have a great stay, whether it’s decaf orcaffeinated coffee, specific activities theyenjoy, or allergies or any other specialneeds,” she said. “It makes people really feelspecial to be taken care of.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

The multi-tasking duties

of a concierge



Candlelight Christmas Evenings are adifferent type of Biltmore experience. Softlighting from candles and fireplaces andthousands of twinkling Christmas lightstransport you back in time to an earlierera. It’s not surprising that Biltmore Househosts enjoy these special evenings every bitas much our guests do. Host Michael Willis has helped guests

during Candlelight Christmas Evenings fortwo years. “I think the holidays are the besttime of year because guests are happy, joyful,and full of the Christmas spirit,” he said.“Guests who come in the evenings are

even more awestruck than those who come

during a daytime visit. The fireplaces andlights on the trees help create a soft and warmexperience. For some of them, the overallfeeling harkens back to childhood times.” Live music adds to the evening

ambiance, according to Michael. Choirsand duets perform in the Winter Gardenwhile the Second Floor offers soloists onflute, guitar, dulcimer, and cello.Host Jim McNeal agrees that the

evenings are different; the atmospherecreates a sense of history that helps guestsbetter understand the Vanderbilts’ lives.A former Boy Scout Camp director, Jim

especially enjoys fielding questions

Experience Biltmore

in a different lightCandlelight Christmas Evenings, November 9, 2013–January 4, 2014



from children during the evening visits.“Children always want to know whatCornelia got for Christmas, and whatChristmas mornings were like during thattime,” he said.

“When I work in the Library I alwaysexplain to the children that Santa Clauscame down that fireplace because it’s thelargest one in the house. It’s so much funto see their eyes get big and their faceslight up.”

Host Michael Pruitt first fell in lovewith Biltmore House when he was 13, andhe’s thrilled that he can greet guestsduring Candlelight Christmas Evenings. Lastyear, Michael opened the Front Door onthe first evening—an experience he’llnever forget. The soft lighting and choirssinging created a deep sense of the spirit ofChristmas, and people were amazed.

“Many guests dress up for their eveningvisit, and it reminded me that the

Vanderbilts also dressed up in theevenings,” he said. “One little girl dressedup like a princess, all in white, with whitefur trim around her neck—I bowed to herand she was so pleased.”

Host Anita Slagle has an extensivebackground in preservation and the arts, sohosting guests at Biltmore is deeplysatisfying. She enjoys interpreting thedecorations for guests who come backagain and again, explaining how each yearis different. She also advises first-time gueststo visit during the day and return at night.

“After a daytime visit, guests come backfor the evening, and things that are close upare in sharper focus, while everything else is in shadow,” she said. “The environment is totally different, and it’s magical.”

We invite you to discover theenchantment of Candlelight ChristmasEvenings this year, and save on tickets with your Passholder discount.

CandlelightChristmas Eveningsgetaway at the Inn

Surround yourself in holiday

finery and hospitality with a

Candlelight ChristmasEvenings package at the Innon Biltmore Estate. Call the

Passholder Priority Line at

800-413-9787 or visit

biltmore.com/innpackages

for details.

INSIDER INFO

Save $20 on

Candlelight

admission

Use your Passholder discount

to save $20 per ticket on

Candlelight ChristmasEvenings for you and yourguests. Purchase yours at

biltmore.com/passdiscount,

call the Passholder Priority

Line at 800-413-9787, or

visit the Reservation &

Ticket Center.



Join us for a Candlelight Christmas Eveningsvisit followed by a fabulous dinner on theestate—it could be the beginning of a greattradition enjoying special menus created forthe holidays.

As a Passholder, you can dine as part of your Candlelight visit or—in mostcases—without Candlelight tickets. Plusyou can bring unticketed guests to dinnerwith advance reservations (except for theStable Café).

At the Stable Café, enjoy a three-courseprix fixe meal beginning with a heartywhite bean bisque followed by braisedpork and handmade porcini sausage. Due to the Stable Café’s popularity, onlyguests with Candlelight Christmas Eveningstickets will be able to make advancereservations for dinner.

If you love mussels, don’t miss theBistro’s elegant Prince Edward Islandmussel appetizer. “We make this dish withthe best mussels, house made chorizo,baby fennel, and lime zest,” said ExecutiveChef Paul Klaassen. “The combination of unusual ingredients is a delicious,flavorful treat.”

At Cedric’s Tavern, Executive Chef Mark DeMarco offers a seared sea scallopsand fresh bacon entrée with creative sidedishes. In addition to its wonderful food,Cedric’s is also a fun place to listen to live music later in the evening.

“We have several great desserts that areperfect with coffee or a glass of wine laterin the evening,” said Chef DeMarco. “Ipersonally recommend the salted peanutbrittle ice cream.”

For southern regional specialties, treatyour family to Deerpark Restaurant’ssumptuous buffet. The wood roastedprime rib is a traditional favorite. Thisyear, our chefs are adding a Brusselssprouts and wild rice salad with carrots,sesame and peanut vinaigrette—yum!Children will love the new s’mores and icecream sandwich station.

The Dining Room at the Inn onBiltmore Estate is featuring a three-courseprix fixe menu in addition to its holidayselections. “We are featuring a pan roastedcrab cake appetizer and a sweet corn andlobster soup,” said Hotel Chef David Ryba.“Add a Sunburst Trout Farms entrée for awonderful seafood dinner.”

Establish a holiday dining

tradition at Biltmore

INSIDER INFO

Dinner reservations

are highly

recommended

Call now to make your

dinner reservations during

this busy season; call the

Passholder Priority Line at

800-413-9787 or visit

biltmore.com/dining.

Dine after your

CandlelightChristmas Evenings visit

For a more leisurely dinner,

we recommend dining after

7:30 p.m., especially on

weekends and right around

the holidays.



From the tiny bubbles to heartfelt toastsand clinking of champagne flutes,sparkling wine goes with celebrationsbetter than almost anything. And whatbetter time to celebrate than the holidays!

“Welcoming friends with sparklingwine as they arrive puts them in a festivemood immediately,” said Jill Whitfield,Wine Marketing Manager. “Sparkling wineturns a gathering into a special occasion.”

Biltmore makes several differentsparkling wines, ranging from Extra Brut (dry) to Demi-sec (sweet). They arewonderful on their own and also makegreat mixers for festive cocktails.

“A colorful sparkling wine cocktail isespecially fun during the holidays,” saidJill. “With all the different recipesavailable, you can mix a cocktail to pairwith any food or occasion.”

One holiday favorite is the Kitten HeelSparkling Cocktail. Simply combine 1¼ounces raspberry vodka, 1 ounce redgrapefruit juice, and ¾ ounce grenadine;shake in a mixing glass over ice. Strain

over ice in a tall glass and top with 2 ounces Pas de Deux sparkling wine, then garnish with a fresh strawberry toenhance the lovely red hue.

A favorite during the holidays, the fruit-forward Pas de Deux sparkling wine wascreated by Biltmore Winemaker SharonFenchak, who was inspired when visitingItaly and sipping classic Moscato wine.She crafted Pas de Deux in the classicméthode champenoise, like all Biltmoresparkling wine, creating tiny, delicatebubbles that last in your glass.

“Our Pas de Deux offers lively bubblesproviding a celebratory note, while itsdelicate, sweet flavors and crisp finish arethe perfect foil for holiday desserts,” she said.

To enjoy sparkling wine at its best,Sharon offers a few tips. “Chill the bottlein the refrigerator before opening. Oncethe bottle is open the wine begins to losebubbles, so drink it as soon as possible. Ifyou do store an open bottle use a specialChampagne topper,” she said.

Add sparkle to your celebrations

Find more

sparkling cocktail

recipes online

Visit biltmore.com/cocktails

for more fun suggestions.


Ambassador_NewCoverNewChef_9_30_Holiday 2013 9/30/13 3:55 PM Page 10


Add a natural holiday

look to your table

This Biltmore®For Your Home

serveware from Belk is ideal

for holiday entertaining and

also makes a great gift.

Visit biltmoreforyourhome.com

for details.

Find recipes online

The brined turkey recipe is

on page 12; additional recipes

mentioned in this article are

at biltmore.com/recipes.

Much like today, George and EdithVanderbilt celebrated Thanksgiving Day1904 with a multi-course dinner; thehandwritten menu in our archives showstraditional favorites paired with someselections foreign to our modern tastes.

“The Vanderbilts’ Thanksgiving dinnerincluded eight courses, but portions werefairly small,” said Leslie Klingner, Curator ofInterpretation. “And dinner was two hoursor more. Everyone dressed formally, inwhite tie and dinner gowns, and they allgathered before dinner and processed tothe table, where they were seated accordingto carefully arranged seating plans.”

David Ryba, Hotel Chef at the Inn onBiltmore Estate, notes that dining customsand popular foods—even for traditionalmeals like Thanksgiving—have changedover the past 100 years. “Thanksgiving is anevent that has multiple areas of focus likefamily and big sports games—that’sdefinitely in contrast to the two-hour a lacarte dinners held in the Vanderbilts’ time,”he said. “Meals now are served family style.We don’t linger nearly that long.”

Biltmore’s culinary team believes insticking to the classics for Thanksgivingdinner but keeping things simple and notoverly rich. Compared to the Vanderbilts’dependence on turkey, ham, and fish, ChefRyba says today’s lighter preferencesemphasize vegetables with meat in asupporting role. After taking a look at the1904 menu, he suggested several ways tomodernize Thanksgiving dinner whilekeeping traditional favorites.

The Vanderbilts’ 1904 dinner began withoysters on the half shell. The modern takecontinues the seafood theme with anupdated appetizer of lemon- and olive oil-marinated smoked oysters and boiledshrimp with Louisiana seasonings.

Even a century ago, turkey was the star ofthe Thanksgiving table. While we aren’tsure how it was prepared for theVanderbilts—although we know fromarchival information that George lovedroast turkey—our culinary experts knowthe brined roast turkey recipe on page 12will be moist and tender.

Cranberry jelly and a medley of vegetablesaccompany the turkey on the 1904 menu.While these dishes are still popular, themodern menu offers a lighter cookedcranberry sauce and a green bean dish madewith brown butter and hazelnuts.

“I love lightly cooked cranberry sauce; itjust seems timeless and elegant. And there’ssomething special about brown butter andhazelnuts with green beans—it’s easy, butthe different flavors are surprising,” saidChef Ryba.

Edith’s fondness for cake iswell documented so it’s nosurprise that cake was on theoriginal menu. Our updatedinterpretation of classic holidayflavors presents pumpkin andpecan layer cake with cream cheesefrosting—a great combinationthat offers familiar flavors with anew approach.

And what do our accomplishedchefs serve at their own Thanksgivingtables? Chef Ryba usually begins withseafood, then offers a brined turkeyalong with a sweet potato dish, fillingout the menu with green beans and pie.

“I try to get most of the cookingdone before guests arrive so all I haveto do is finish things off quickly,” hesaid. “This allows me to focus on myfamily and guests.”

Thanksgiving then and nowBiltmore’s culinary team updates a traditional feast



Quick dessert with

homemade flavor

This creamy vanilla bean

cheesecake from Biltmore

for Your Home®freezes well

and is a wonderful treat.

Make it holiday-worthy

with our cranberry walnut

topping; get the recipe at

biltmore.com/recipes.

See where to buy our

cheesecakes at

biltmore.com/gourmet.

Congratulations

Chef Ryba

David Ryba was recently

promoted to Hotel Chef

from his position as Chef de

Cuisine at The Dining Room

at the Inn. He has been with

Biltmore for eight years and

was the winner of the 2012

WNC Chef’s Challenge.

Winemaker

Sharon Fenchak

recommends…

Sharon recommends serving

Biltmore Reserve Russian

River Pinot Noir; the wine’s

delicate fruit flavor and well-

integrated oak aromas pair

well with the tasty turkey.

Simple brined and roasted turkey

Ingredients

1 18–20 pound turkey2 gallons water½ cup white wine vinegar½ cup granulated sugar2 cups kosher salt3 tablespoons black peppercorns2 tablespoons red pepper flakes2 tablespoons yellow or brown

mustard seeds2 tablespoons whole fennel seeds1 tablespoon whole cloves12 cloves fresh garlic3 sprigs fresh thyme

Brine Method

You will need a heavy-duty plastic briningbag and an ice chest large enough to holda 20 lb. turkey. In a four-quart sauce pot,combine 2 quarts of water, vinegar, sugarand next 6 ingredients. Simmer 5 minutes,making sure that salt and sugar havedissolved, and let cool to roomtemperature. Crush garlic cloves. Fillquarter of ice chest with ice. Place turkeyin bag along with cooled salt-watermixture, garlic, thyme, and remaining

water. Tie securely and cover with as muchice as cooler will hold, packing aroundsides and top. Let brine overnight and upto 24 hours.

Roasting Ingredients

1 brined turkey1 stick unsalted butter, meltedSalt and pepper to tasteButcher’s twine

Roasting Method

You will need butcher’s twine and aroasting rack. Preheat oven to 375°F.Prepare a roasting pan and roasting rack.Remove turkey from brine, pat dry withpaper towels, and place in a roasting pan,breast side up. Let stand at roomtemperature 45–60 minutes. Brush all overwith butter and season liberally with saltand pepper, including inside the cavity.Tuck wings under turkey and tie legstogether with twine.

Cook 2½–3 hours, basting every 30minutes, until internal temperature of165°F is achieved in thickest part of darkmeat. Let rest 30 minutes before carving.

Brining makes turkey

even more delicious

Roast turkey is the meat of choice for Thanksgiving; it’s amazing what a difference

brining your bird makes! Hotel Chef David Ryba provides his techniques for a

moist and succulent turkey. Get recipes for the rest of the updated Thanksgiving

menu at biltmore.com/recipes.



Upcoming events

Tree-raising & Passholder Shopping Day

November 1

Enjoy this exciting launch to the holiday season; see page 4.

Christmas at Biltmore Daytime CelebrationNovember 2, 2013–January 12, 2014

Reservations are required for most daytime visits; see

details on page 2.

Candlelight Christmas EveningsNovember 9, 2013–January 4, 2014

Save $20 on admission for you and your guests; see page 6.

Dine with us on Thanksgiving, Christmas,

and New Year's

Treat yourself and your family to exceptional dining on

these special days; visit biltmore.com/passevents for

more information:

• Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Deerpark Restaurant and

dinner at the Bistro

•Christmas Eve Brunch at Deerpark

•Christmas dinner at the Bistro

•New Year’s Eve dinner at the Bistro and the Inn

Enjoy our gingerbread house tea

On December 19, 20, and 21, our pastry chefs will help you

build your own gingerbread house at the Inn. Enjoy tea and

tea sandwiches while you admire your creation. Visit

biltmore.com/passevents for details and call 800-411-3182

for reservations.

Free holiday seminars

Join us at A Gardener’s Place for these daily seminars:

•Caring for Christmas plants at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

•Christmas wreaths at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Visit Santa at Antler Hill Village

Bring the family to visit Santa on Saturdays and Sundays

from 1–5 p.m. November 9–December 22. Santa will also

make an appearance the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Passholder Appreciation coming

January 13–February 28, 2014

Check your mail after New Year’s Day for special offers and

discounts on stays at the inn, estate dining, and activities,

including two free tickets to share with family & friends—

part of our thanks to our Passholder family.

Visit biltmore.com/passholders to get details

on events and benefits. Please note offers and

events are subject to change; check online for

the latest information. Renew your Pass at

biltmore.com/passrenew.


One Lodge Street

Asheville, North Carolina 28803

Prsrt Std

US Postage

PAIDAsheville, NC

Permit No. 45

Stay up to date with Passholder e-newsletters

Sign up by calling the Passholder Priority Line at 800-413-9787 or 828-225-1319.

Call 866-208-9519 to notify us of your change of address.


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